Then arose the wonderful medicinal "Vijaya" a Mahoushadi which Bhairava
accepted. Soon after, to the extreme joy of devas and asuras alike, there emerged
Dhanwantari holding the vessel of nectar in his hands. Almost last of all, emerged
Sri-Devi Luxmi in all Her Glory and splendour, with a smile on her face, with lotus
blosooms in Her auspicious hands, and sitting on a red lotus bringing joy to the
hearts of Maharshis who recited Devi-sukta. The Gandharvas sang Her praises-;

the Ganges and other sacred rivers approached Her; while the eight directional
elephants supporting the worlds, bathed Her with sacred water from golden vessels
held in their trunks. While Lord Vishnu was joyfully looking on at this avatar of his
spouse, Sri Devi Tulasi was born (ever devoted to Lord Vishnu's feet) to the
satisfaction of all Munis. Sagara, the Lord of the oceans, offered Sri Luxmi a garland
of lotuses, Viswakarma offered her jewels studded with divine gems; thus decorated
with celestial garlands and bedecked with celestial jewels, Sri Luxmi moved towards
Kanchanachela (Lord Vishnu), who wore her on his chest to the joy of all. Sri Luxmi,
thus having occupied Lord Vishnu's bosom, blessed one and all around her and
showered her grace on all that beheld ffer smiling face.

LOftD VISHNU ASSUMES MOHINI AVATARA

When the asuras beheld Luxmi occupying the bosom of their foe Vishnu, they
feared that Vishnu would trick them out of their share of nectar. So Malakasura and
his host hastened and snatched away the vessel of nectar from the hands of
Dhanwantari. Then ensued a terrific struggle between the devas and the asuras
for the nectar. In the midst of this fight, Lord Vishnu contemplated on Para Shakti
and sought her help, while Brahma and Rudra left the place and returned to their
respective Lokas. The body of Vishnu, who had been contemplating on Para Shakti,
was transformed into that of a most alluring female form, so attractive and bewitching
as to distract the attention of the asuras. They could not take their surprised eyes
off her most exquisite form. To their great astonishment and delight, Mohini
approached them fearlessly and said in a sweet voice that thrilled them: "Why do
you fight? Give me that vessel of nectar and I shall distribute it". Unable to refuse
her, the vessel was forthwith put into her delicate and shapely hands, while her
bangles tinkled musically and charmed them. They were all so deluded as to become
mere puppets in her hands. She then directed them to sit in two rows: The devas in
one line, and the danavas in another. Holding a ladle in her dainty hands, Mohini
doled out the nectar first to the devas. Thinking that the vessel might become empty
by the time it reached him, Rahu son of Simhika became impatient and stealthily
joined the ranks of the devas where he was also served nectar. But before he could
swallow it, the Sun and the Moon signaled to Lord Vishnu (Mohini) who immediately
chopped off Rahu's head. As it had already come in contact with nectar, it remained
alive still: and Lord Vishnu, now no more in MohinFs form, vanished from their
midst giving the empty vessel to the danavas. Realising the trick played by Lord
Vishnu, the asuras rose in a body and fell upon the devas with intent to destroy
them. The devas, who were now full of vigour and valour, having drunk of nectar.
took up their weapons and routed the asuras who were weak and tired The danavas
therefore fled in all directions and hid themselves in Patala and other inaccessible
places. Indra thus got back his Svarga-Loka and his old pomp and splendour" and
Sn Luxmi smiled on him once again.

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